California Biographies
Source: History of Fresno County, California, with biographical sketches of
the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with
its growth and development from the early days to the present (1919)
History By Paul E. Vandor
Illustrated, Complete In Two Volumes
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1919
Notes: Missing+page1185-1186
Transcribed by Peggy Hooper
This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm
HARRY EDWARD SPENCE.� Born near Minneapolis, Ottawa County,
Kans., February 23. 1871, Harry E. Spence came to California with his par-
ents, Andrew and Caroline (Bell) Spence, when twelve years of age. They
resided at Duarte, Los Angeles County, until 1888, when they moved to Bur-
roughs Valley, Fresno County. He finished his education at Healdsburg
College and then devoted his time to farming and stock-raising.
At Fresno, in 1898, Harry Spence married Miss Lutie Gilmer, who was
born near Porterville, Cal., and whose father was Robert Gilmer, a native of
Kentucky who crossed the plains to California in the fifties. After mining a
few years he returned to Iowa, and there married Mary A Dye, a native of
that state. He served over three years in an Iowa regiment in the Civil War
as a second lieutenant. In 1873 they settled at Porterville, Cal., and after-
wards at Selma, but in 1879 they moved to Burroughs Valley where Mr. Gil-
mer improved a ranch and set out one of the first orchards in the valley. He
died here and is survived by his widow. Mrs. Spence is next to the youngest
of their seven children and was educated in the public schools of the valley.
Harry Spence was successful as a farmer and became owner of 400
acres in the heart of Burroughs Valley. For many years he also followed
teaming to the mills in the Sierras and while thus engaged took a heavy cold
through exposure, which resulted in his death, February 27, 1911. Since his
death Mrs. Spence has continued stock-raising, being assisted in the manage-
ment of the ranch by Mr. Spence's brother, Dulcy Spence ; they have extended
their holdings, also owning ranches in Watts and Sycamore valleys. For
many years they have engaged in the mercantile business in a store built
on their ranch, where Mrs. Spence served as postmaster from 1899 until 1917,
when she resigned.
Mr. and Mrs. Spence had four children : Vivian, Patti, Harry Gilmer,
and Edward Sylvester. Mr. Spence served as school trustee, as well as jus-
tice of the Peace. He was a prominent man and yielded a wide influence for
good. Mrs. Spence performs her civic duties under the standard of the Re-
publican party.